Any nurses with fibromylagia or any other disability?

vanilla bean · Feb 28, 2015

Hello there! Just wanted to let you know that AN has a whole forum dedicated to this very topic. It is also found under the "Nurses" tab and is titled "Nurses With Disabilities." I don't know if you will find conversations that pertain specifically to fibro, but you may still find some helpful information. Good luck to you on your nursing journey :)

OneWish · Feb 28, 2015

Oh...thank you so much :)

LessValuableNinja · Mar 1, 2015

In brief answer: Yes, you can probably do it. It depends on the you in you. I have issues as well.

Check out exceptionalnurse.com; they do scholarships for would-be nurses with disabilities.

Schedules vary widely based on the type of nursing you do. Floor nursing will probably be the least flexible. PRN or per diem will be the most flexible. Clinics, case management, home health are somewhere in between.

sistrmoon, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2015

I have chronic pain due to ankalosing spondylitis. I work 3 8s a week, overnight weekends. I really can't do 12s, especially with a pain flare I am limping around in agony by the end. My job has been very flexible with me, of course I work every weekend which they like! I am a floor nurse for 8 years but will eventually have to find something outside the hospital as it is very hard on my body.

allstressedout1 · Mar 7, 2015

I can do 12 hours, even 2 in a row. If I work more I usually am done for at home. All my home time is spent recuperating and getting ready to do it again. We are required to do call sometimes to the point you end up working 5 days in a row. Usually if you are having to work extra it is because census is up and you are extra busy from the start. We are also required to flip flop from 12 hours days to 12 hour nights. With all the health care changes you normally work short. You can do it but I would advise thinking carefully about what type of nursing and discuss schedules etc before hand.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Mar 10, 2015

I have fibro. It was a long journey to get to where I am right now with the right meds and routine. I spoke with my physician about what he thought of me becoming a nurse and he was very supportive of it. I stick with my routine every day. I get up and go to sleep at the same time every day. I make sure I stretch in the morning. I take my meds. I keep in contact with my physician.

I was diagnosed at 15. They really had no idea what fibro was back then. I'm 39 now. I make sure to get my work done in the middle of the day when I feel my best. I never will pull an allnighter or anything like that. I stay very organized and on schedule. I also work with a pain management doctor. He has been supportive and helpful to me also.

If you ever have any questions, feel free to PM me. I know pretty much everything there is to know on fibro. Being a nurse with fibro is not out of the question, but you have to make sure you rest on the off days. I did 12 hour clinical last semester and am doing them again in a couple of weeks and i haven't had any issues. Also get a good pair of shoes. Danskos have saved my back and legs wearing them.

MoshRN · Mar 11, 2015

You can do it. Have to figure out what is best for you and how you can take care of your body. Just do not set yourself up for failure when seeking a job. 5 8 hour shifts are a killer for me. 3 12's, not so much. Know that nursing school is hard on the body. Make time to sleep and recuperate. And get to know your disability counselor. They are a great help in school. :)

sissiesmama, ASN, RN · Mar 11, 2015

Hi Heather! I have fibro too. I'm 45 this year and got diagnosed 6 years ago.

It is possible to nurse with fibro, it does take a little planning - what gives me the most trouble - my feet and lower legs. My feet hurt - kind of a burning stabbing pain that feels like needles going into my feet. I know that a flare may be coming my way with stress, ect.

Anne, RNC

Heather, I'm so glad to meet another nurse that has this crazy disease!

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2015

So.....I was just diagnosed with fibro last week. I am struggling I also have a form of degenerative arthritis in my thoracic spine, diagnosed last year. I know I can't remain at the bedside as long as I anticipated. I'm starting grad school this fall, but I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up because my intention was always to become an FNP. I'm not sure if I'll be able to handle it. I also know that I am teetering towards depression, I shouldn't make major life decisions when I've had a tension headache for about 6 weeks, and things will probably look better if/when the med kicks in after a few more weeks.

How do you deal with flare ups? I work in peds and I've been fine with patients and their families. It's my coworkers. I've apologized several times for situations where I know I was uncharacteristically inpatient or short with someone. I've been forgetful. I've learned to write down every single thing I need to get done (normal stuff that I usually do without thinking about it, but now I don't trust my memory!) but I don't know if I can do anything else to help myself. I work 3 12 hour shifts, which I never group all together. I try to give myself 3-4 day stretches off so I can recuperate. I'm praying the warmer weather will help me feel better.

Ugh. I'm gonna go back to researching it because I haven't the foggiest idea about fibro. It's encouraging to know there are still bedside nurses that can successfully deal with it!

blaireau · Mar 18, 2015

I have fibro too. I was diagnosed earlier this year, but I've had chronic pain and fatigue for the past 8 years. Right now I work full-time and go to school part-time, and next year I'm starting a full-time RN program. With full days, you need to make time to rest and know when to cut yourself some slack. But don't give up on a dream because your body is uncooperative!

If you want something, you can make it happen. It may take some rearranging and compromise, but you can definitely do it.

From what I've heard from other RNs with chronic pain/fatigue, it's totally possible. You need to be able to listen to your body, and you can usually arrange your schedule to accommodate you.

Best of luck!

nette1022 · Mar 18, 2015

I have fibro and arthritis also (rheumatoid, and osteo). I work PRN in a nursing home and I do homecare. Homecare has been easier on me because it's one patieny and not a group of patients. I recently just completed my RN because as an LPN I had less options with working in relation to my health issues. Nursing is a diverse field with many avenues. The good thing is if you notice one avenue is causing you many problems you can choose another avenue. Good luck, I think you will be fine in the profession.